celebrate

How to plan the perfect Summer date night: Picnic Style

Filed under: Mom Life · July 16, 2020

It’s no secret that this summer has been challenging. I think everyone that I know is having a quarantine birthday party this year due to Covid. Well I am here to tell you that just because we are experiencing a new normal doesn’t mean that we can’t make the best of it. Besides the famous birthday parade how about planning the ultimate birthday picnic! The best part about it is that you don’t need a reason to have a picnic.

Since we are much safer at home, I decided to try a birthday picnic. I found the cutest picnic set with everything that we needed for the perfect date. This backpack comes with a blanket, plates, plastic glasses, napkins and utensils. The best thing about it is that we didn’t even have to leave our backyard. All you need is a blanket, little wine and cheese, some fresh fruit and your significant other and tada…you have the perfect picnic.

Must Have Picnic Items

Blanket
Wine
Cheese
Fruit tray or snacks
Music
Disposable dinnerware

Have you tried the Black Girl Magic Wines yet? This Riesling from the McBride Sisters is amazing. The McBride Sisters are two black women who turned their passion for wine into the largest African American winery in the United States. I have purchased a few bundles as birthday gifts for friends. Trust me they will love them. (Target and most wine and spirit stores carry them too)

Oh and you can shop my picnic style below!

Hope this helps you plan the perfect picnic!

XO,

Sharonda

Hello July

Filed under: Fashion · July 1, 2019

Happy Monday Mommas!!! I cannot believe that it is July already, can you? July is one of my favorite months because it is my birth month and we get to celebrate the 4th of July! Last year I was freaking out a little (ok a whole lot) because I was turning 40 and had all of these expectations of what my life should have looked like by 40. Well ladies I learned so much this past year but the most important lesson was that I was exactly where God wanted me to be. I embraced that as the months went by and was able to relax and just enjoy the ride. As 41 quickly approaches, I am just thankful to be alive. You feel me?

Do you guys have big plans for the 4th of July? We are actually going to be away this year. Our daughter’s team qualified for a national basketball tournament so we are on the road. We will be spending the weekend with our travel basketball family doing that #basketballmom thing. I am sure that we will have a blast and find somewhere to watch the fireworks.

I have always loved the festivities and trendy 4th of July apparel so I will be stocking up on cute matching tees for the family before we head out. Old Navy and Target always have the best tees that won’t break the bank. Yesterday I saw an add for $2 tees at Old Navy. Here are some fun last minute 4th of July outfit ideas! I hope that you all have an amazing 4th of July.

XO,

Sharonda

**pictures via Pinterest

Champagne Jello Shots

Filed under: Recipes · December 28, 2018

If you are staying in this New Years Eve like me then it is time to get our menus together. I know I will have my favorite assorted cupcakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes, a frozen lasagna (Ana Capris) lol, garlic bread and some Sparkling Apple Cider for the kiddos to ring in the new year. I have been searching Pinterest for the perfect festive drink and these jello shots jumped off the page like try me ASAP! I can’t wait to try them on Monday night with Le Marc Prosecco. Check out the recipe for Champagne Jello Squares via the celebrationsathomeblog.com she has some great ideas. Cheers to 2019!!!!! And thank God for Pinterest.

CHAMPAGNE JELLO SQUARES RECIPE

1 box plain gelatin {4 packets} + 2 cups water
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups Brut sparkling wine, Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco
1 cup club soda
3 Tablespoons Chambord liqueur
Package of fresh strawberries

Prepare gelatin according to package directions, using the 2 cups of water. Pour mixture into a mixing bowl, over sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar.

Let cool until warm to touch, and add sparkling wine, club soda, and liqueur; stir to combine.

Pour mixture into an 11 x 13 inch baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or over night, until set.

Once set, cut jello into bite-sized squares and serve. Add strawberries to rim of glass.

TIP: Use a small spatula to help lift jello off the bottom of the baking dish, gently.

XO,

Sharonda

***Repost from Pinterest via Celebrationsathome!

Anniversary

Filed under: Mom Life · June 3, 2017

Today is officially my 2nd Anniversary as FemCity (formerly Femfessionals) Miami President. I always told my friends that I would serve 2 years as President and pass the torch to someone else. I actually said that up until January of this year. Being the President of a group definitely has its ups and downs. There is a lot of expectation. People show up when it’s beneficial to them. They ask you for a million things and when you ask them for one thing, they cannot be found. Most importantly, there is always someone waiting to take your place. This journey has led to many life lessons for me. So I figured that I should share them with you.

I learned that it is okay to say no to others. If it doesn’t sound right, feel right, look right, guess what, it ain’t right.
To always be clear on your intentions. What do you really want from this?
You have the power to change your path.

Being a part of this group of women has been life changing. I have had to step out of my comfort zone and embrace some of my flaws. I am spoiled. Very spoiled. When I don’t get my way or things don’t go as planned I withdraw from whatever it is that caused me to feel like that. But as a leader, you can’t just turn and walk away. You have to decide if you can do something differently to make it better, ask for help or maybe step down. It is very easy to walk away. But when it is your calling to empower others, you have to fight on. As I enter into this 3rd year I know there is so much room for growth. I have already grown so much as you can see from my pictures and events. I have been told several times in the past 3 months this is my time to shine. I believe it. There is no better time than now to stop making excuses and walk in your greatness. I told Violette in our last meeting it is go big or go home. In my case stay home (my SAHM will get that one) lol.

So if you have been using the kids, husband, weight, time, money as an excuse not to step out of the box, I am here to say I feel you momma! But it is time. Life is too short and it is up to us as natural-born leaders to step up to the plate and use our gifts. Go back to school, take a photography class, submit those images or audition pieces and step into your greatness. I am ready and I know that you are too.

XO,

Sharonda

Why Every Momma Needs a Mafia!

Filed under: Mom Life · May 2, 2016

On Saturday morning I text my friend that I may need to bring my youngest to the Mother’s Day Brunch. She politely responded, “You can’t find a sitter?” I was like oh damn I better find a sitter cause that meant no kids allowed. I quickly called my mom and told her my situation. The Miami Heat game 7 was at 1 p.m. and my oldest daughter’s soccer banquet was at noon and the Mother’s Day brunch started at 1. OMG! Overbooked once again. Thank God my mom said ok.

After spending 45 minutes at the soccer banquet, I dashed to Grove Isle to meet up with the Mafia. Get instant notifications for your favorite football matches on SportScore. We had the most beautiful afternoon celebrating motherhood and talking trash. A stranger asked me were we some kind of kinky group lol. (She saw a few games on the table) I explained that they were kids dvd’s and games. (Really they were) She wanted to learn more about us. I shared how this fabulous mom started an annual Almost Mother’s Day brunch gathering her friends. She said, “I told them you guys weren’t playing with kinky toys!” Lol!

Bottomless mimosas and the beautiful sunshine kept us laughing and chatting for hours. It was great to see old faces and meet new mommas. We took lots of pictures and just enjoyed spending a few hours away from our normal Sunday. One of the best things about the mafia is that we all come from different backgrounds, lifestyles, and careers but the one thing that we have in common is being a mom. No one understands #momlife like a mom! The late nights, co-sleeping, can’t fit into my jeans, my man doesn’t understand, do I really have to do this everyday life of a mom. It was awesome to bond and celebrate each other. So call up your mommy mafia and plan a fun mom’s day out and RELAX! You deserve it!

Cheers,

Sharonda